Professor and Interim Chair, Department of Political Science

What happens if the government shuts down? Faculty experts explain

December 6, 2017

By Molly Callahan

The U.S. government is going to run out of money on Friday. That is, unless lawmakers pass a stopgap measure that would extend government spending through Dec. 22, giving them two extra weeks to negotiate a more permanent budget.

Tied up in the same Congressional rancor that’s stymying a budget deal is funding for two crucial community healthcare programs. Their existing federal funding ran out weeks ago, and they’ve been squeaking by on state aid since.